Re GBGB Board Owners Representative
I was pleased to read in the Racing Post on Sunday that Mark Bird is now preparing for an election for a current owner to enter a democratically elected ballot process, unlike the previous election with ten applicants, just two being allowed to have their names on the ballot paper, both, incidentally, from the South of England. Having a derisory ballot paper voting return, many of my colleagues in the Midlands discarding their votes in total frustration at just two hand picked by the GBGB appearing on the ballot paper. In a correct democratic process even Screaming Lord Such was allowed to take his chance.
The previous process left me incredulous about the representation for the Midlands and Northern tracks, including, of course, Shawfield. I sincerely now hope that the GBGB will act democratically and allow any applicant meeting the criteria of being nominated, seconded by their peers, not having criminal antecedents and with many years of governance and board room, company expertise, to appear on the ballot paper and be then chosen by owners from all over the country. I have received a letter from the chief executive of the GBGB, Mark Bird, indicating that this open and fair criteria will now follow. I await to see next month and my name as a current owner of ten dogs, several open class, will be forwarded, duly nominated and seconded by influential Midlands owner’s and I assure the GBGB that if elected by my peers, I will not walk out in a matter of months as the previous incumbent did for whatever reason.
Mike Kelly.
Re: development and improvement grants.
How about the greyhound trainers who come under the same kennel rules as the so called professional trainers but are entitled to nothing
Peter Mingay
Re British bred grants
I am extremely pleased to see £24,200 making it’s way towards British bred graders from the unallocated prize-money pool of 2017. Graders are an often forgotten side of British breeding. Nobody breeds to get a grader , that is true , however the truth is the majority of greyhounds bred turn out to be just that. Giving owners and trainers of British bred greyhounds something extra to run for , even when their greyhounds don’t turn out to be a King Elvis or a King Turbo , gives them even more reason to take a chance and buy British. This in turn supports British breeders. It’s a win win situation for all involved.
